Operation Soteria expanded following early success in greatly improving responses to rape and sexual offences

Operation Soteria, launched at the end of 2022 and led by Professor Katrin Hohl, Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice, and Professor Betsy Stanko of City, University of London, has received a major endorsement in the Government’s Rape Review progress report that tracks its performance in tackling rape and sexual violence.

The programme, which has been piloted across 19 police forces and nine Crown Prosecution Areas already, aims to develop new operating models for investigating and prosecuting rape in England and Wales by June 2023. It brings together police forces with academics, using evidence and new insight to enable forces and prosecutors to transform their response to rape and serious sexual offences.

Since its inception in December 2022, all five pathfinder forces – Avon and Somerset Police, the Metropolitan Police Service, Durham Constabulary, West Midlands Police and South Wales Police – have seen an increase in the number of cases being referred to the Crown Prosecution Service. In the cases of West Midlands Police and Durham Constabulary this has more than doubled while prosecutions from Avon and Somerset have more than tripled. In addition, all pathfinder forces have seen a reduction in the average days taken for a charge outcome to be assigned, with South Wales seeing a reduction of almost 300 days in the latest quarter alone.

The success of the pilot means all 43 police forces across England and Wales, as well as all rape prosecutors across the country will begin implementing Operation Soteria’s approach to dealing with rape and other serious sexual offences.

To further improve the response to rape, 2,000 extra police investigators will be specially trained in rape and sexual offences by April 2024. It will also be compulsory for new recruits to undertake rape and sexual offences training, which will be rolled out to all existing first responders.

Professors Katrin Hohl and Betsy Stanko OBE, joint academic leads of Operation Soteria said:

“The National Operating Model is an evidence-based solution to the seemly intractable problem of low charging rates and poor victim experiences in rape cases. Never before have academics, policing, and the Crown Prosecution Service come together in this way.

Together, and in close consultation with victims and the victim support sector, we have developed principles, guidance, toolkits and other practical materials to support officers to better investigate sexual offending behaviour and to better engage with victims in line with their rights and needs.

“We are hopeful that this could mark the beginning of a new era of criminal justice."

Suella Braverman MP, Home Secretary said:

“As a society, too often we have failed the victims of sexual violence.

“I have been clear that we must transform the way these investigations are handled, to make sure that all victims have the best support possible throughout the entire process. This is a vital step in delivering on that promise.

“It will help ensure investigations focus on the suspect, and never on seeking to undermine the account of the victim, as well as placing the utmost importance on their rights and needs.”

Alex Chalk KC, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice said:

“Rape and sexual violence are horrific crimes that can impact victims for the rest of their lives. That’s why we launched an action plan in the 2021 Rape Review to drive up prosecutions.

“We’ve made significant progress, hitting two of our Rape Review ambitions ahead of schedule, and there are more rape cases before the courts today than in 2010.

"Now we are going further, extending our action plan with more support for victims, encouraging survivors to come forward and see justice done."

Read the Government’s full Rape Review progress report.

Find out more about Operation Soteria.